If you’re thinking you want to play one of the most enjoyable courses in southern Idaho, then you’re thinking about playing Falcon Crest golf course west of Boise, ID. And if you’re going to play Falcon Crest, you better think hard.

This upscale yet affordable course located near Kuna, just south of Boise on Cloverdale Road, is a thinking-man’s course. It can play long or it can play short, depending on the tees you choose to play. But if you like to pull the driver out a lot, you better think again.

There are par 4s that are drivable (9, 12) and par 5s reachable in two (2, 6, 11). But ponder the potential risk/reward before you swing away. The flop side of a birdie is generally a double bogey. (I played these five holes very aggressive … and in 8-over par.)

When the course first opened in 2001, the trees were small and the course had a wide-open look. But as the course matured, trees grew taller and sand bunkers came more into play. And there are still the water hazards that create the ultimate assessment on whether you go for it or lay up. And let’s not forget the occasional OB that borders several holes.

Playing from the tips, Falcon Crest is just under 7,100 feet. From the middle tees it plays about 6,100 feet. But regardless of where you choose to play from, there are about 45 sand traps and 18 water hazards that come into play … and a few will come into play for two or three shoots on the same hole. The hazards don’t discriminate—they are equally as obnoxious on the fairways as they are around the greens. (My round was interrupted by two OBs, three shots affected by trees, three in the sand and one in the water. My playing partner faired much worse.)

The course is designed to give you a good look at the green at about 150 years out (with the exception being 18, where the edge of the lake and the 150 marker tends to be the same). But the key to a good score is the approach. You have to think about water on half of your second shots … and 15 holes make you think about sand, including a 12-foot deep greenside bunker on the par-5 11th.

In fact, the only real safe hole (if you don’t think about the OB left and fairway sand bunker on the right) is the first hole. If you can shape your ball right-to-left, you should be able to fly the sand and be about 100 out for you second shot to a nice wide-open green that is mounded on three sides.

The course also features a signature hole on each nine. On the front, a cascading waterfall feeds a lake that is shared by No. 4 and 7 greens. On the back, you finish with the par-4 18th that can dictate an intimidating 160 to 200 yard carry over the lake. And yes, you can lose a couple of golf balls real quick on this finishing hole. Falcon Crest has been listed in national golf publications as one of Idaho’s best courses open to the public.

The course does a good job at providing yardage markers throughout the layout. One unique feature is the flower groups that designate the 200, 150 and 100 markers on the side. A group of blue flowers are at 200, white flowers at 150 and red flowers at 100.

Falcon Crest is not necessarily a course you would want to walk. Often, the distance between the greens and tees are greater than the distance between the tees and greens.

Getting to Falcon Crest really isn’t that difficult … you just drive to Boise and turn south. Well, actually, it is a little more of a process than that since the course is actually out near Kuna just off S. Cloverdale Road.

For more information call 208-362-8897 or visit the website at www.falconcrestgolf.com.